President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping have begun what is expected to be three to four hours of high-stakes ,in-person talks in hopes of lowering the temperature of a simmering trade war that has threatened to boil over and upend the global economy.

(Reuters) -A group of Senate Democrats led by Chuck Schumer on Wednesday urged President Donald Trump not to lift national security restrictions on China in pursuit of a trade deal.

Soybean prices reached a 15-month high Tuesday as the commodity, which makes up the U.S.’ largest agricultural export, is embroiled in the trade war between the U.S. and China that’s affecting American farmers. Soybean prices have risen more than 11% since July last year as the crop has become a major tool in U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Global stocks rallied on Monday to a fresh intraday record while the dollar eased on optimism that a potential trade deal was on the horizon between China and the U., as investors awaited a slew of central bank policy announcements and earnings from several megacap companies.

President Trump told reporters as he flew into Japan that he expects to have a trade agreement with China finalized by the end of his tour of Asia.

Sanae Takaichi, who became the country's first female prime minister only days ago, solidified her relationship with Trump while defending her country's economic interests.